Can Probiotics be Used in the Prevention of Recurrent UTI in Paediatric Neurogenic Bladder

A Clinical Trial to Determine the Extent to Which Probiotic Therapy Reduces Side Effects of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Pediatric Neurogenic Bladder Patients With a History of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Although clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) remains the mainstay to ensure complete low-pressure bladder emptying in neurogenic bladder (NB) patients, this forms a vehicle for bacterial entry and colonization of the urinary tract, which can lead to recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI) and renal damage. Up to 25% of NB patients on CIC suffer from RUTI and daily, low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis is widely prescribed to prevent these infections. Unfortunately, this therapeutic option is not evidence-based and can be associated with a higher risk of RUTI secondary to development of antibiotic resistance. In addition, many children suffer from a range of adverse reactions and emergence of drug resistant organisms. Moreover, recent studies have shown that antibiotics cause a major disruption in the human microbiome, potentially leading to long term major problems.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. There is evidence that probiotics restore microbial homeostasis in the vagina, reduce the risk of pathogen ascension into the bladder, and modulate immunity to better protect the host. Probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus reuteri B-54 and RC-14, have been shown to be safe and efficacious in an oral formulation or as a vaginal suppository in improving the microbiota profile of the vagina and decreasing the risk of RUTI. Various mechanisms appear to be involved, including modulating antimicrobial and inflammatory defenses, up-regulating protective mucin production and reducing the pressure on pathogens to acquire antibiotic resistance genes. A randomized trial comparing probiotics to antibiotic prophylaxis in children with vesicoureteric reflux showed equivalent reduction in the incidence of RUTI and development of new renal scarring. In addition, down regulation of inflammatory cytokines can potentially favorably alter bladder function and prevent bladder fibrosis.

Investigators at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) have the opportunity to acquire clinical data that would strengthen the case for probiotics to be integrated into pediatric urology practice for managing CIC and RUTI. This would be the first such study in pediatric NB patients.

The main objective of this study is to determine whether the use of probiotics (lactobacilli) can decrease the impact of adverse side effects and the antibiotic resistance that is seen with the prolonged use of antibiotics for patients with neurogenic bladder conditions.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Urinary Tract Infection
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Antibiotic; Drug: Probiotic

Detailed Description

From Dr. Dave's practice 53 suitable patients who are using CIC to manage NB disease, and are receiving long term, low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis designed to prevent RUTI have been identified.

On average, another 5 eligible patients would be expected within a six- month window. From this pool, the study will enroll 36 adolescents ≥ 12 years of age. They will have had a history of RUTI over the past 12 months and will have been receiving chemoprophylaxis for at least one month. The study design and reporting will conform to the CONSORT guidelines.

Patients will be enrolled after informed consent and the baseline evaluation will include a history and physical examination, and verification of previous culture proven UTI. A urine sample will be obtained using clean catheterization and subjected to: urinalysis, microbiome, metabolome, bacteriological culture and antibiotic resistance assessment, and assayed for markers for inflammation. A stool sample will also be collected to analyse the gut microbiota and drug resistance profiles of E. coli. Each patient will receive counselling at baseline and at 3 months follow up on ensuring adequate fluid intake, proper clean intermittent catheterization technique and frequency, and over the- counter treatment for constipation. Post catheterization bladder scans will be performed to ensure completeness of bladder emptying. Baseline bladder and renal function will be assessed.

Investigators expect interest from the patients/parents in their practice as at the very least the study will entail a check-up of how their condition is being managed, and for us to be able to provide them with additional information on their microbiota in urine and stool. Thus, patients who do not wish to be randomized to receive probiotics or change to a probiotic regimen, can still be included as a control group remaining on prophylaxis (12 subjects). Investigators would expect their bacterial drug resistance profiles and intestinal side effects to remain unchanged for the next six months. For 24 subjects interested in being considered for a different approach to their care, they will be randomized using a computer generated randomization sequence with balanced block randomization (block size= 4), pre generated, and allocation performed using sealed envelopes and a third party to preserve allocation concealment from the recruiting physician. A 1: 1 allotment will be performed to the 2 study groups: 12 patients will continue antibiotic prophylaxis but also receive daily probiotic capsules, and the other 12 will be randomized to receive probiotics and a drug placebo for six months after a washout period of 1 week. Patient and parent blinding will be partially achieved by each patient taking two pills each day, with the placebo pill or capsule resembling the active product. The placebo drug used will be a similar appearance sugar based pill with no active ingredient. The probiotic capsule will contain only food grade excipients present in the probiotic capsule. Patients will be supplied with their pills and capsules for 3- month duration.

In addition, the laboratory technician and outcome assessor (data entry and analysis) will be blinded to patient allotment. Antibiotic prophylaxis will consist of Septra (trimethoprim 2 mg/kg; sulfamethoxazole) (for the 12 controls or 12 randomized to antibiotic and probiotic arm). Probiotic therapy will comprise of two capsules of RePhResh Pro-B (approved by Health Canada and sold at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada), which consists of 5 billion total organisms of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 per capsule. The capsule can be added to milk or orange juice if the patient is unable to swallow it. All 36 patients/parents will be asked to keep a diary to record use of medications (OTC medications for colds, flu, others) and will be asked not to take any probiotic products (including probiotic yogurt) during the study duration. In addition, patients will fill out a questionnaire each week (study duration is 6 months after the first baseline visit is conducted) to assess a range of potential adverse events (such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, pain, fever) on a scale of 1-10. At the three month follow-up compliance will be assessed by return of the empty product containers, and review of the diary. A second course of three month treatment will then be provided. At three and six month's clinical assessment, urine and stool samples will be provided.

At 6 month follow-up, patients will receive a renal ultrasound to assess the health of the upper renal tract, as well as a post-catheterization bladder scan an cystometry. During the study, any patient with two or more episodes of UTI will be treated with an alternative antibiotic prophylactic regimen.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 36
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Sumit Dave; Phone Number: 519-685-8439; Email: sumit.dave@lhsc.on.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 4G5
      • Recruiting
      • London Health Sciences Centre
      • Contact: Lee-Anne Fochesato; Phone Number: 56366 5196858500; Email: leeanne.fochesato@lhsc.on.ca
      • Principal Investigator: Sumit Dave

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 8 years to 13 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• - Patients will have had a history of recurrent urinary tract infections over the past 12 months.
• Patients will have been receiving chemoprophylaxis for at least one month.
• Patients who are using clean intermittent catheterization to manage a neurogenic bladder condition.
• PATIENTS WILL BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6-20.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has a known allergy to Septra
• Patients pregnant or nursing will be excluded.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Antibiotic; This group will be prescribed a dose of antibiotics (Septra 2mg/kg)
Placebo Comparator: Probiotic plus placebo; Receive probiotic plus an antibiotic placebo	Other: Antibiotic; 2 mg/kg per day via oral ingestion.; Other Names: Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (Septra); Drug: Probiotic; 2 capsules; 5 billion total organisms of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 per capsule; Other Names: L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14
Active Comparator: probiotics plus antibiotic; This group will be on a dose of probiotics (2 capsules; 5 billion total organisms of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 per capsule) plus a antibiotic (Septra)	Other: Antibiotic; 2 mg/kg per day via oral ingestion.; Other Names: Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (Septra); Drug: Probiotic; 2 capsules; 5 billion total organisms of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 per capsule; Other Names: L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Side effects	Use a questionnaire to assess frequency and type of side effect while on prophylactic antibiotic, antibiotic plus probiotic or probiotic plus placebo	Once a week for the duration of the study. The length of the study will be 6 months from the first baseline visit after the patient has been enrolled in the study and the first dispense of the study drug has been completed.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mean number of recurrent urinary tract infection episodes	Mean number of RUTI episodes (>105 colony forming unit (CFU)/mL from a catheter specimen, with leukocyturia (>10/HPF) and the presence of symptoms and signs such as fever (>38.5°C), flank pain or suprapubic pain) during a 6 month follow-up period.	Over the 6 months follow up
Time to first urinary tract infection	the time it takes for a study subject to develop a urinary tract infection	Over 6 months follow up
Changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines	Changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α) and pro-inflammatory chemokine (IL-8) associated with inflammation and immune cell recruitment. Urinary levels of each factor will be measured using multiplexed immunoassay kits employing Luminex® xMAP fluorescent bead-based technology (Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX) and the Bio-Plex 200 readout system (Bio- Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, California.	At baseline, 3 and 6 months
Changes in metabolomic profiles of urine	Changes in metabolomic profiles of urine, as measured by Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GS-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)	Baseline, 3 and 6 months
Bladder storage function	Bladder storage function (capacity, compliance, overactivity).	Baseline, 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: London Health Sciences Centre
• Collaborators: Canadian Urological Association
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sumit Dave, London Health Sciences Centre

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 17, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 9, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 1, 2021
• Last Verified: September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: probiotics; urinary tract infection; antibiotic prophylaxis; neurogenic bladder; clean intermittent catheterization
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Infections; Urinary Tract Infections; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Infective Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; Antiprotozoal Agents; Antiparasitic Agents; Antimalarials; Folic Acid Antagonists; Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; Renal Agents; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Trimethoprim; Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
• Other Study ID Numbers: LHSC - AP 1